"Pardon me?"

The two turned towards the man wearing an apron as he approached them as they were retrieving their horses to leave Oxenfurt.

"Witcher Geralt? Of Rivia?"

"Yeah. What do you want?"

"I've a message." He held out a sealed parchment. "For you."

"Hang on. Who from?"

"Read it. You'll know." Geralt took the parchment and the man went on his way.

We need to talk as soon as possible. It's important

TM

The letter was simple and smelled of Triss' perfume.

"It's from Triss," Geralt said. "Has to be."

"Sounds important. We should see her as soon as we get back to Novigrad."

Geralt nodded in agreement as he mounted Roach.

~~~

As they approached the house Triss had been hiding in, Juray suddenly held her arm out to stop Geralt's advance.

"What?"

In response, Juray jerked her head towards the Witch Hunter and two Temple Guard. They were close enough to hear their conversation.

"Butcher swore he saw her here," the Hunter said

"Maybe he lied," one of the Guard said.

"He lied when I cut off his first finger. They all grow very honest after I take a second. The ginger bitch hides behind her witchcraft... But we'll find her. Matter of time." They went about their way and the Witchers headed into the house, where they heard arguing upstairs.

"But I paid in advance!" Triss complained. "The entire month!"

"You did," the woman said. "But you paid the old price. The risks are greater now and so should the rewards be."

"I'm out of coin..."

"But you've got somethin' else, dear," the man said and Juray scowled, not liking what he was suggesting. Triss looked at him with a shocked look on her face.

"Give us the necklace and get out of here!"

"Hands off, or I'll cut 'em off," Geralt growled and all eyes turned towards him and Juray, whom none of them had heard come up the stairs.

Juray put a hand on his chest to keep him from advancing onto the couple.

"Geralt," Triss said. "You don't need to."

"I wanna. Grab your things and let's go."

"Get out. Now!" The couple retreated and Triss turned towards Geralt as he approached her.

"When I need your help, I'll ask for it," she said harshly.

"What? Are you angry?"

Triss gave a frustrated grunt. "Angry? No. But they deserved the necklace. They risked a lot just by sheltering me."

"They took the risk because of the coin they were getting," Juray said.

"Yes. The thing is, they could've taken the coin and turned me over to the hunters. But they didn't, which was extremely honorable by Novigrad standards."

"Please, don't make excuses for them," Geralt said.

"Geralt, we could debate morals, or any number of other topics, but I don't have time for that now. You saw what's happening in the city."

"Yeah, we saw," Juray agreed.

"How can we help?"

"Everything's falling apart. I don't know where to start." She sounded vulnerable as she gathered what little belongings she had. "I should get all the mages to the docks as soon as possible, get them on board the ship. But Berthold and Anisse have yet to show up at the meeting point."

"Won't be easy getting to the port. Lots of guardsmen in the streets."

"So we won't take the streets. In case of trouble, we were all supposed to meet at the Kingfisher. There's a passage into the sewers from the cellar, and apparently, those can get you all the way to the docks."

"I know the Novigrad sewers. Won't run into any Hunters there, but that doesn't mean it'll be safe."

"That's why I'm asking you and Juray. I need the two of you to find the way to the docks, clear a path for the others. And do it quickly. The Hunters could figure out our plan any minute. I'm also worried the people who hid Berthold and Anisse might've turned them in." She looked at Geralt. "Now you understand my predicament?"

"Mhm," Geralt answered. "Help two and put the others at risk... Or go straight to the Kingfisher, abandon the two to certain death."

"What do I do, Geralt?"

"You two go after Berthold and Anisse," Juray said. "I'll head to the Kingfisher and keep an eye out for any Hunters who might have gotten word about the meeting place."

"Juray, I can't ask you to risk your life like that."

"You know, Angelo used to say the same thing every time he gave me a Contract after that vampire. And I'm going to tell you the same thing I told him: It's part of the job description. Go get your people and we'll get them out of Novigrad."

Triss gave her a grateful look before turning to Geralt. "We need to hurry."

~~~

Juray made it to the Kingfisher without incident, the barkeep looking up when she walked in. She immediately scanned the room.

"I'm sorry, mistress," the barkeep said. "We're closed for the night."

"I'm with Triss. Have you seen any signs of the Hunters?"

The barkeep relaxed. "Good, they could use some protection. And no, none have been in here. Yet. You must be that Witcher friend of Miss Merigold."

"One of them, yes. Juray of Riverdell."

"Oliver. Is Miss Merigold alright?"

"She was last I saw her. She and Geralt are seeing what's keeping a couple, but she should be here soon."

Oliver nodded as the door opened again. Juray turned, half expecting to see Geralt and Triss with their charges. But instead, it was three Witch Hunters.

"What have we here?" one asked the moment he set eyes on Juray. "Is that a mutant I spy?"

"Witchers. Witches. I don't see no difference."

"Oliver, stay back." Juray moved away from the barkeep.

"You'll behave and come with us."

Juray reached up and drew her steel sword, practiced fingers casting Quen around both herself and Oliver. "If I had a crown for every time someone said that to me, I could retire to a lovely villa in Toussaint."

"You think you're funny, do you?"

"I think I'm adorable."

"Get her!"

Juray sighed. "Once again I'm dealing with suicidal idiots." She defended herself from the Witch Hunters with a skill she'd honed longer than they'd been alive. She easily bested them, killing them for their mistake of attacking a Witcher. She cut down the last one, his head rolling to a stop at Triss' feet.

"Looks like you had a party without us," Geralt commented.

"That's what happens when you're late."

"Triss!" Oliver looked relieved. "Thanks be to Melitele!"

"Anyone from the Silverton hideout make it?"

"Odette, Caspar... Ditmer and Janne."

"Hagen?"

"He... He won't be coming." A sorrowful look passed over her face. "You must move quickly. And I have a mess to clean up."

"My apologies," Juray said.

"I won't accept them. I'd be dead if you hadn't been here. Just help the mages flee."

Triss led the way to a hidden doorway and the sorceress, Witchers, and stragglers descended into a cellar, where several mages were gathered. Juray was surprised to see Dijkstra was walking among them.

"Triss!" a mage greeted her, his attire saying he was upper class. "What happened upstairs? Is everything all right?"

"Everything's fine for the moment," Triss answered. "Witch Hunters nearly caught us, but thanks to Juray they weren't able to."

"Good."

Triss then went to take a tally of who had made it.

"Why the tears, my dear lady?" Dijkstra asked a young mage, who Juray could tell was terrified. He knelt in front of her and handed her a kerchief. She took it and dabbed away the tears. "You shouldn't worry yourself, it tarnishes your beauty."

"Guess you must've worried quite a bit," Geralt quipped.

"No. I was born ugly," Dijkstra rose as a smile came across the mage's face. "Juray, good to see you're well. I heard that you had trouble with Junior."

"Trouble I no longer have to worry about."

"You fleeing to Kovir, too?" Geralt asked.

"No, but I am helpin' the others set off. You know me... bleedin' heart and all."

"You have a heart?" Juray asked, causing Dijkstra to regard her with a smirk.

"Contrary to popular belief, yes I do."

"It only started bleeding now?" Geralt asked. "They've been burning mages for months around here."

"But only since recently on this scale. Besides, I look forward to having friends in Kovir. Especially among King Tancred's entourage."

Juray only raised a brow at his words.

"Shh. Triss is about to speak," the mage that had greeted Triss informed them.

"We'll talk later." Everyone gathered around Triss as she stood on a box.

"We waited long to escape," she began. "Till we could make sure Kovir would take us, till we could acquire enough coin to hire a ship, till we could find a captain we could trust. We've waited too long. There's no more time for hesitation. We must leave Novigrad today."

"This is madness," the mage Dijkstra had comforted said. "Hunters stand on every corner."

"So we'll get to the port through the sewers. Geralt and Juray will clear a safe path for us."

"They'll catch us anyway," the male mage said. "You'll see. They'll catch us, and kill us."

"Perhaps. In which case we'll die with dignity, weapons in hand... Not tied to a stake, begging for mercy."

"If the need arises," Juray said. "Geralt and I'll defend you."

"You can also count on my help," Dijkstra added.

"Yes... the help of a Redanian spy," the noble mage said. "Radovid's right-hand man."

"That was long ago, sir."

"You raised that madman. You taught him to kill. You—"

"This is no time to settle past scores," Triss interrupted. "End of discussion."

"Gonna enter the sewers now," Geralt said. "I'll signal when the path's clear, you follow our trail. And don't stray from it, no matter what."

"I will go with Geralt and Juray," Triss said. "You, Dijkstra, go to the port and see that everything's in order with the ship."

"On my way." He pushed off the crates he'd been leaning on and headed back upstairs.

"We'll meet there. I hope."

Geralt approached Triss as they prepared to head into the sewers. "Triss... really wanna go with us? No offense, but I'll have Juray."

"Offense taken. Stop talking and lead the way."

"Shut up, Juray," Geralt said as his fellow Witcher started to snicker.

Several drowners and a katakan later, the three emerged from the sewers.

Dijkstra approached them. "Finally. You took bloody long enough..."

"Sorry to make you wait," Juray snapped. "Decided to take the scenic route and play Gwent with a vampire."

"Did you have time to look around?" Triss asked before Dijkstra could retort. "How's the ship?"

"Creaky piece of junk. Wood's rotting, sails're prone to rip like an old pair of knickers, and the —"

"Will we make it to Kovir?"

"Provided you don't run into any storms."

"I'll signal the others to come." Triss stepped away to send the signal to the others and Dijkstra turned to Geralt.

"Need any help? Can I play the violin for you, fetch some flowers or bonbons?"

"I'd love to see you play the violin," Juray quipped.

"What the hell's that mean?" Geralt asked.

"What... don't tell me you don't plan to beg her to stay?"

"Oh, dear gods...," Juray muttered.

"Why do you even care?"

"I adore love stories. Especially the ones that end happily ever after."

"There's several collections of fairy tales I can recommend," Juray said with a smirk.

Triss darted towards them. "Hunters! Hunters approaching!"

Juray and Geralt immediately drew their steel swords.

"Board the ship!" the leader said. "We want them alive!"

The Witchers, Triss, Dijkstra, and the crime lord's men made quick work of the handful of Witch Hunters.

"That's twice in one night," Juray commented as she sheathed her sword.

"Dijkstra, I don't know how to—," Triss started.

"No time for courtesies, my dear," Dijkstra said. "Get on board."

"One last farewell." Triss turned to Juray. "Thank you for your help. It means so much."

"Had I not become a Witcher, I might have been in the same boat. Take care, Triss. Keep them safe."

She then turned to Geralt and Juray stepped away to stand next to Dijkstra as Triss said her goodbyes to Geralt.

"He better beg her to stay and kiss her," Dijkstra said.

"Are you playing matchmaker now?"

"No, just a sucker for romances."

"Then go read a book."

"Is that a hint of jealousy?"

"Why would I be jealous?"

"Have you a lover?"

"Why? You thinking of pursuing me?"

"Call it curiosity."

Juray shook her head. "Not at the moment. But if you ask to court me, my answer will be no."

Dijkstra chuckled. "Good to know."

Triss turned away from Geralt and boarded the ship. She stopped at the top of the gangplank and looked back at Geralt for a moment before disappearing onto the ship. The gangplank was pulled up and the ship pushed off. Juray walked over to stand next to Geralt and together they watched the ship sail away.

"You're an arse," Dijkstra suddenly said and the two Witchers turned to him.

"What?" Geralt asked.

"An ass. An oaf. A twit. Didn't even try to stop her."

"I had my reasons."

"Course you did. You're an ass, an oaf, a twit. But even an arse can do the world a favor if one more enlightened tells him how."

"I smell some of your conniving," Juray said.

"What would you say? How many mages did we save? All together."

"Thirty, maybe, give or take a few."

"And how many would you say remain in the North? How many alchemists, healers, herbalists? Two thousand? Three?"

"Doing a population count?" Geralt asked.

"No, I'm concerned. In Novigrad, they had us, we were here... But who'll save those in Rinbe? Ban Ard? Ard Carraigh? Gulet? You know damn well that daft bastard Radovid won't rest till he's killed them all. Every last one. Yennefer and Triss included." He looked at Juray. "I wouldn't be surprised if you make that list, Witcher or no."

"I'm sure when he finishes with mages and sorcerers, he'll move on to Witchers."

"Moving as speeches go,' Geralt said, crossing his arms. "Now get to the point. Why're you telling us this?"

"Because I want you to help me kill Radovid."

"I beg your pardon?" Juray said, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "Are you actually serious?"

"Yes. To my mind, this systematic persecution is foremost a symptom of a far more serious problem: a madman rules Redania. I served Vizimir, Radovid's father. Was his head of intelligence for more than two decades. Together, we transformed Redania. Made it into the North's most powerful realm. Any idea what made it strong?"

"Its armies, I'd wager," Geralt said.

"And you'd bloody lose, you idiot. Mass mobilization, inciting peasants to take up their scythes, straighten them, where's the art in that? Much harder to build a strong state with healthy commerce, manufacturing, solid alliances, progressive science, and fair, independent courts that hand down just judgments. Vizimir and I managed to do just that through years of fucking hard work. I will not sit on my hands while that little shit squanders that. Radovid the Stern, my arse. Radovid the Witless, I'd say. Will you help me?"

"I don't kill kings. Just not a regicide, rumors to the contrary be damned."

Dijkstra looked at Juray.

"Do I look like I'm wearing a cat's head? I'm not an assassin."

"I'm merely asking for your aid in organizing the assassination. Someone else'll strike the blow."

"Ugh, Dijkstra...," Geralt sighed. "Might not've heard this, though I'd find that hard to believe, but Witchers are neutral on principle, so..."

"Oh, bollocks. That's a convenient excuse you lot try to hide behind every time the temperature rises. It's grown hot, my friends, and it grows hotter still. Pyres burn in every city. For mages great and small, your female friends included. For nonhumans. For Witchers, as Juray has predicted. Is that the North you espouse, the North you're prepared to live in?"

Both Witchers were silent, Juray immediately thinking of her son and his family in Kaewen. Her brothers at Kaer Morhen. Would any of them be safe if Radovid ruled all the North?

"Silence, cards close to your chest... I understand. To slay a king, it's not exactly some bloody nekker Contract. You think on this. Think on what I said. And if you conclude you'd rather change the course of history instead of riding its current to hell, you come find me. At the Passiflora, in the garret. I'll be waiting with my mates."

"I'll think about it," Geralt finally said, Juray nodding in agreement.

"So long, Geralt, Juray." Dijkstra turned and walked away.

"Come on, Juray. We still have another favor to do."

"You're uncharacteristically quiet," Geralt said as they traveled through the forests back to Roche's hideout.

"As much as I don't want to admit to it, Dijkstra's not wrong."

"You've been thinking about that this entire time?"

"I have. When Radovid finishes killing off the mages of the world, do you think he's just going to stop and be content? Triss and Yen are already in danger from him. Zoltan will be in his crosshairs next. And when he wipes out nonhumans, who do you think he'll focus on then? Would you sit back if Radovid was actively hunting Vesemir? Eskel? Lambert? Me?"

Geralt remained quiet.

"He already knows about my connection to the de Côtés. He may already know about Aiden. If killing Radovid guarantees safety for all of us, then I'm willing to set him up." She looked over at Geralt. "You willingly joined the Wild Hunt to save Yen. You've always said if you had to choose between two evils, you'd rather not chose at all. But this one death might save thousands, if not millions of people. Even if you choose not to choose, I'm going to help Dijkstra. I'm not going to be able to sit back and watch the world go to hell because of Radovid. I'd rather deal with just Emyhr than being trapped between the two of them and forced to choose sides in the end."

Geralt still remained quiet, but Juray could see in his eyes that he was mulling over her words. She knew he'd worked hard to clear the name that was dirtied with Foltest's assassination. She understood his reluctance in having a hand with another king's death. Juray saw the world in shades of grey and she remembered well how angry he'd been upon discovering that she kept Regis' true nature from him, being the only one who could sense a higher vampire in their human form. While Geralt saw a monster, Juray saw a person who just happened to be classified as a monster. Their arrival at Roche's camp caused Juray to push the memory back as they dismounted and went into the cave.

"Geralt and Juray," Roche greeted. "Good to see you again."

"Mentioned you had a problem," Geralt said.

"Mhm. It's Ves. She took a couple of the lads across the river. Plans to hit the Black Ones at Mulbrydale."

"So? Sounds like what you guerilla fighters do."

"Yes, when they are ordered to. Whereas I forbade her from leaving camp. Indefinitely."

"Don't trust Ves anymore?" Juray asked.

"Bollocks. She's prepared to die for me. That's not the problem. Know what distinguishes a soldier from a common swashbuckler?"

"The uniform?" Geralt asked.

Roche gave him a dirty look. "It's a serious question."

"A rhetorical one. So instead of waiting for an answer, just... enlighten me."

"Soldiers think tactically. They know when to strike, when to fall back. When to charge and when to hold. Ves finds this difficult. She's impulsive, hot-tempered."

Geralt looked at Juray. "That sounds familiar."

"That actually sounds like Lambert," Juray said with a smirk.

Roche gave an exasperated sigh. "In guerrilla warfare, one false step and you're fucked. I confined her to the camp because I feared that sent out, she'd go rabid and make a mistake. I was right."

"So why go to Mulbrydale?" Juray asked.

"The peasants from the village aided us earlier. The Nilfgaardians learned of this. Word got out they're planning a punitive expedition. Probably hang every fifth villager."

"Honestly, Ves' desire to save the villagers makes sense," Geralt said. "What doesn't is your opposition to the plan."

"War means death. Not only for soldiers, for common folk, as well. You can't save them all. It's that simple."

"Funny. Had you for an idealist."

"You were right to, are right to. But I have one ideal, a free Temeria. And I'm prepared to sacrifice anything for it."

"All right, so you've got a problem, insubordination. What am I supposed to do about it?"

"I doubt Ves has entered the village. More likely she and the boys lie in wait in the woods nearby. We must find her before she attacks. And stop her. You two are the best trackers I know. Help me."

"We'll help," Juray said.

"Thank you. I'll owe you both a favor." Roche headed out of the cave, Juray and Geralt following.

~~~

They arrived at the Hanged Tree, looking over the town of Mulbrydale, Nilfgaardians already occupying it.

"Black with Nilfgaardians already," Roche said. "They're preparing to execute folk."

"No sign of Ves," Geralt observed.

"She may be impetuous, but she's not stupid. She's waiting for her moment. Probably attack after dusk, once —"

Juray turned her head to her right and held her hand up. "Listen."

"What now?"

"A trio. Lightly equipped. Over there, near the —"

"Death to the Black Ones!" a woman's voice suddenly shouted. Shouts in Nilfgaardian answered her.

"Looks like we're too late," Geralt said.

"She's going to get herself killed," Juray responded.

"Idiot!" Roche growled. "Juray is right. We have to help. Follow me!" Roche sprinted forward, Geralt right behind him.

"Why are we surrounded by idiots?" Juray sighed as she drew her steel sword and followed after the men.

They soon found Ves surrounded by Nilfgaardians and the three jumped in to defend her. Soon the enemy lay dead and Roche turned to Ves, her shirt having come open and exposing her bra.

"Gods dammit, Ves!" he shouted. "Have you gone completely mental?! You ignore my orders. You go off on a suicide mission. And instead of donning a breastplate, you dash into battle, shirt open, naval and whatnot exposed!"

"You're not my father, Roche. You've no right to tell me what to wear."

"But I am your commander, and you will obey me! Guerilla warfare. Warfare! It involves armies, for fuck's sake!"

"I could not abandon them. They helped us."

"It's a soldier's job to kill, Ves, not save, not rescue. If that is not to your liking, join the Sisters of Melitele, study to be a healer. Fucking hell... Give me your weapon."

Ves snorted as Roche held his hand out. She sighed then gave up her bow.

"You'll get it back when you wise up. If you wise up. Move out!"

Juray had been looking over the village while Roche reprimanded his second in command, noticing the commanding officer of the Nilfgaardians move just as he finished.

"Hey, guys. Looks like we missed one."

"You took my weapon, Roche...," Ves said as she started to walk towards him. "So I must manage with my bare hands."

"Leave him alone," Roche said. "There are corpses enough here."

"What?" Ves' voice betrayed her surprise.

"You heard me."

"I did and I can't believe it! He came here to murder civilians. He's seen us. Will you have him return to his camp and report?!"

"Emhyr knows we can kill his men. Let him learn that we can also show mercy."

Ves turned and looked at the Witchers for help.

"Roche is right," Juray agreed. "There's enough death here to last this village for a lifetime. Besides, he wounded and defenseless right now."

"What is it with you, Roche? Did the Witchers take your stones? They're sadists! He's the occupier!"

Juray approached the Nilfgaardian, whose eyes widened in fear and he flinched away when she went to examine his wound.

"I will explain later. You, Nilfgaardian. Piss off once she's done with you."

The officer realized the Witcher was aiding him as she bandaged his wound to stop the bleeding, translating Roche's words for him as she worked.

"Thank you. I shall not forget you —"

"Just get the fuck out of here before we all change our minds."

He gave Juray a bow before making his way to a horse and escaping.

"We should go before a patrol comes along," Roche said. "Thank you, Geralt, Juray." He shook both of their hands. "If either of you ever need any help, you know where to find me."

"Good luck, Roche."